'The congregation through its Council gave the Committee full power to deal with the matter,' said Barzinsky with dignity.
'But then the other marine-dealers will open as well as the Committee!'
'I trust not,' replied Barzinsky fervently. 'Two of us are enough to cut down his takings.'
'But the whole lot of you would be still more efficacious. Oh, this is the destruction of our congregation, the death of our religion!'
'No, no, no,' said Solomon soothingly. 'You are mistaken. We are most careful not to touch money. We are going to trust our customers, and keep our accounts without pen or ink. We have invented a most ingenious system, which gives us far more work than writing, but we have determined to spare ourselves no trouble to keep the Sabbath from unnecessary desecration.'
'And once the customers don't pay up, your system will break down. No, no; I shall write to the Chief Rabbi.'
'We will explain our motives,' said Mendel.
'Your motives need no explanation. This scandal must cease.'
'And who are you to give orders?' shrieked Solomon Barzinsky. 'You're not speaking to a Schnorrer, mind you. My banking account is every bit as big as yours. For two pins I start an opposition Shool.'
'A Sunday Shool!' said the Parnass sarcastically.